Parkinson’s: The Loss of a Friend

"I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life." Corazon Aquino "What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Helen Keller Sadness: The title was one word, "Sadness," and the note was brief. My friend, a fellow Person-with-Parkinson's (PwP), passed away …

Parkinson’s: The Importance of Drinking Water

"Water is life's matter and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water." Albert Szent-Gyorgyi "Thousands have lived without love, not one without water." W. H. Auden Introduction: We are experiencing unrivaled and sustained summer heat in parts of the USA. While everyone needs to stay hydrated in such situations, it is vital …

Parkinson’s: Feeling Good

"If you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you do good." Georges St-Pierre "Create a vision that makes you wanna jump out of bed in the morning." Ella Henderson Introduction: My mentor at UNC-CH, the sage physician, Dr. H.R. Roberts, used to tell us that to succeed in hematological research would …

Six Pillars of Parkinson’s

"In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result." James Allen "Storms make trees take deeper roots." Dolly Parton Introduction: In the presence of Parkinson's, each person encounters a different invader that can progress very slowly or evolves quickly. Symptoms expressed are …

Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

"You swing your best when you have the fewest things to think about." Bobby Jones "Through years of experience I have found that air offers less resistance than dirt." Jack Nicklaus Introduction: If you have read this blog any time, you know how much I love the game of golf. It is a fun sport …

The Positive Impact of Friends: Journey with Parkinson’s

"A good friend is a connection to life - a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world." Lois Wyse "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart" Eleanor Roosevelt Introduction: I have …

The Significance of a Birthday: Journey with Parkinson’s

"Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed." Arthur Schopenhauer "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Mark Twain Introduction: For 26 years, I taught undergraduate Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill entitled "Biology of Blood Diseases." We …

Golf and Reducing the Risk of Falls in Parkinson’s

"The harder you work, the luckier you get." Gary Player "The only thing a golfer needs is more daylight." Ben Hogan Précis: The sport of golf provides a low-impact all-around form of exercise that improves balance and flexibility and promotes a range of motion by activation of muscles in the upper and lower body. If you …

Parkinson’s: Running on Empty

"I think everyone has the same question on their mind: Is the glass half-full or half-empty?" Oliver Stone "Something has to matter. Otherwise, a person's life will be miserable and empty." Tim Sandlin Introduction: When you think about Parkinson's, it is a disorder where you balance your daily life with enough dopamine or run on …

Parkinson’s- Motion Monday- Exercise

“The reason I exercise is for the quality of life I enjoy.” William H. Cooper “It is exercise alone that supports the spirits, and keeps the mind in vigor.” Marcus Tullius Cicero "Find some exercises you like, make it a routine.Find others who like what you like, makes it more fun.Your life with Parkinson’s is …